In conversation with advisers: outsourcing to the specialists

clock • 1 min read

Partner Insight: Cathi Harrison, owner and director of para-sols and Apricity and Clare Farrell managing director at Northfield Wealth met in London recently to discuss outsourcing to specialists.

In the second video of the series, they talk to Julian Marr, Editor of Professional Adviser about outsourcing.

Farrell says: "I think it is the right time for financial advisers to outsource. When Northfield was a very small firm, we outsourced to para planners and we outsourced our investment research. It was good to have the outlook of a bigger firm, whilst being part of a smaller one. As the business grew we brought those roles in-house, the para planner and the administrator role, and outsourced less. But we still outsource in busy times.

"Outsourcing helps us to manage our workflow internally, by focusing on our processes, so if we do have to outsource to a firm, they can pick up on our processes and it is not a burden.

"Technology has also really helped. We have been able to share documents. And as a small firm, it is perhaps easier to outsource to an investment research expert to pull together an investment panel."

Harrison adds: "If you don't have the internal processes nailed down, then outsourcing won't really work for you. Clarity is therefore good, before a financial adviser starts the outsourcing process, and then the second step is finding out who to outsource to - a para planner, administrator support and investment research, there is so much out there."

To read more articles like this, sign up here

More on Investment

Did the bond market cause Trump's tariff U-turn?

Did the bond market cause Trump's tariff U-turn?

90-day pause on tariffs introduced on ‘Liberation Day’

Laith Khalaf
clock 24 April 2025 • 3 min read
RLAM implements Sustainability Focus label across £11bn portfolio range

RLAM implements Sustainability Focus label across £11bn portfolio range

Across a mix of funds and trusts

Cristian Angeloni
clock 23 April 2025 • 1 min read
Advisers notice growing client demand for bespoke investments

Advisers notice growing client demand for bespoke investments

Want access to ETFs, investment trusts, equities, bonds and AIM shares

Isabel Baxter
clock 17 April 2025 • 2 min read

In-depth

Sudden departures and a government review – what next for the FOS?

Sudden departures and a government review – what next for the FOS?

A look at the Ombudsman’s roadmap to modernisation

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 April 2025 • 6 min read
Advisers avoid 'knee-jerk' dismissal of US equities amid Trump's tariff shake-up

Advisers avoid 'knee-jerk' dismissal of US equities amid Trump's tariff shake-up

‘Although many market values have fallen, the fundamentals remain largely intact’

Isabel Baxter
clock 03 April 2025 • 5 min read
'A divisive and difficult topic': Advice firms on DE&I progress

'A divisive and difficult topic': Advice firms on DE&I progress

Industry shares thoughts on regulator’s adjustments

Isabel Baxter
clock 31 March 2025 • 6 min read